PIDG in action

Innovating to transform hazardous methane into life changing power

PIDG’s unique focus on delivering high quality infrastructure in frontier markets is making the seemingly impossible, possible. Natural gas power plant KivuWatt, in Rwanda, demonstrates PIDG’s success in targeting investment where it is most needed, despite the challenges.

At the plant’s official opening this year, President Paul Kagame said: “Many people thought it was impossible to be successful with this project, but we are happy today that things have proved to be different.”

KivuWatt uses cutting-edge technology to extract naturally occurring methane from Lake Kivu, transforming it into sustainable, affordable electricity for up to 2.5 million people.

Rwanda has a growing population with rising demand for electricity. Reliance on firewood, charcoal and expensive imported diesel has led to deforestation, soil erosion and air pollution.

PIDG financing was instrumental to the project’s success. EAIF provided $25m in financing to the project and crucial leadership which leveraged an additional $105m in private investment, making this high-risk project a reality. PIDG’s Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) also gave $500,000 to help monitor the lake’s stability.

KivuWatt is already surpassing expectations, supplying more than 25MW of clean power to the country’s national grid, whilst the potential to replicate the technology could see output increase to 100MW in the future.

Access to much-needed power is unlocking Rwanda’s potential for economic growth. With clean, reliable and affordable power businesses can flourish and Rwanda’s health services and schools can operate more effectively.